A daily heart rate monitor that does it ALL!!

SkyeBows
SkyeBows Posts: 80
in Fitness and Exercise
I want a accurate heart rate monitor that I can wear all day. Kind of like a fitbit or so on but I want it to track everything including my heart rate. I feel like so many people wear/.use like three different objects. Isn't there like one thing that does it all? I have looked into the digifit thing because quite honestly not wearing a watch would be amazing and just having it hook up to my phone :) but its like you get a daily tracker and a regular HRM. There isn't one thing out there that does it all and is accurate? I would love to see my sleep schedule, calories burned, actual heart rate at all times, steps taken and so on all on one item.....

Replies

  • bakerh518
    bakerh518 Posts: 18 Member
    My motherinlaw has the "jawbone" it tracks EVERYTHING it is a small wrist wrap that you wear night and day, it tracks sleep, tells you when you wake up And all that. She loves it! It is compatible with myfitnesspal.com too! :)
  • jaz050465
    jaz050465 Posts: 3,508 Member
    My motherinlaw has the "jawbone" it tracks EVERYTHING it is a small wrist wrap that you wear night and day, it tracks sleep, tells you when you wake up And all that. She loves it! It is compatible with myfitnesspal.com too! :)
    Jawbone isn't a HRM. Neither is Bodymedia Fit but its more accurate than Jawbone or Itbit.
  • LongIsland27itl
    LongIsland27itl Posts: 365 Member
    Get a Polar HRM.

    I have a Polar FT40, it's great. The things you listed are not heart rate monitors, they're souped-up pedometers
  • halleymw
    halleymw Posts: 246 Member
    The closest thing I can think of to what you want (that you can actually buy right now) is the new Pulse by Withings. It is basically a fitbit, but it also includes a hrm. HOWEVER, it does not track it continuously, you have to press your finger to it to get a reading.
    It does all the things the fitbit does, steps, calories, sleep, etc.

    http://www.withings.com/en/pulse

    $100.

    Oh, there is the Basis Band, but it is $199 and out of stock. Dunno when they will be available to actually purchase.

    https://www.mybasis.com/tour/


    The future will be amazing for these types of devices. The Amiigo looks awesome.

    http://venturebeat.com/2013/02/13/finally-a-fitness-tracker-that-actually-knows-what-youre-doing/

    Mike
  • phjorg1
    phjorg1 Posts: 642 Member
    there is no such thing. get a rmr test if you want to know. any machine just guesses.
  • sunlover89
    sunlover89 Posts: 436 Member
    There is no such thing on the market at the moment. i have a fitbit flex which is awesome but does not track HR. I'd like to buy a polar ft4 for for crossfit WOD's but just don't have the spare £50! But that is the one I'd recommend anyway.
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    Get a Polar HRM.

    I have a Polar FT40, it's great.
    They are not designed to be worn all day
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Get a Polar HRM.

    I have a Polar FT40, it's great. The things you listed are not heart rate monitors, they're souped-up pedometers

    To wear all day?
  • K_Serz
    K_Serz Posts: 1,299 Member
    I would love to see my sleep schedule, calories burned, actual heart rate at all times, steps taken and so on all on one item.....

    Why?

    You will never see this all in one item. Not in our lifetime anyway. I still cant believe they still dont have a strapless HRM yet. Well they do, but Im talking about one that you didnt have to stop and touch with your fingers to get a reading.
  • RHSheetz
    RHSheetz Posts: 268 Member
    So, I use two devices...

    I use a Fitbit to track my movement and capture my walking, and when I go to the Gym, I put on the HRM (I have an Undergear Armour 39) to track my activity at the Gym. I load all the numbers into My Fitness Pal, and get my daily burn. Gives me a good view, but do not get too caught up in the numbers. Your body does not work that exact.
  • jetlag
    jetlag Posts: 800 Member
    I think bodymedia In the us is bringing out a new device with a hrm strap add on, sometime in the fall?
  • lsuz
    lsuz Posts: 74
    After being on a six month waiting list, I finally got my Basis Band last week and just packed it up for a return this morning. They don't share on the website what all Basis Band wearers learn very quickly -- the BB will NOT track you HR in real time like a HRM and thus, when you work out, will not track your actual calories burned. It's a cool device for sure, albeit huge for a woman's wrist. You can see your HR throughout the day, track your sleep patterns, steps ... all that. But the minute you do an activity, like climbing the stairs or working out hard, that's where it fails. I was at the gym when it read that my HR was 69 and I burned 300 calories. I think doubling both of those was more accurate. The web interface is super cool, too, shows you habits and not just stats, but for $200 I want to at least ballpark my calories burned after I kick it at the gym.

    I'm also excited for the Amigo. Sounds like that might take off where the BB left off. Oh, and note -- if the BB is your thing and you give it a try -- you cannot return it without a restocking fee. $30. They don't mention that up front either.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,992 Member
    Get a Polar HRM.

    I have a Polar FT40, it's great. The things you listed are not heart rate monitors, they're souped-up pedometers
    Wrong. Bodymedia actually makes a great calorie expenditure counter because of the use of 4 sensors. An HRM CAN'T read anaerobic exercise accurately compared to a Bodymedia.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • istenno
    istenno Posts: 5 Member
    I saw this one on facebook today and it looks pretty promising: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/kreyos-the-only-smartwatch-with-voice-gesture-control
    or here is the indiegogo page: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/kreyos-the-only-smartwatch-with-voice-gesture-control
  • Tiffany_Danielle88
    Tiffany_Danielle88 Posts: 5 Member
    I have the Body Media Link and I love it! Connects to MFP too!
  • depaul225
    depaul225 Posts: 2
    Why wouldn't an advanced Polar heart rate monitor with chest strap work for all day?

    I mean it would be uncomfortable, but it would be relatively accurate.

    I was gonna try using my FT7, to see what I burn all day (instead of relying on the calculator online that simply uses weight, age, sex, and time spent doing certain activities).
  • jaz050465
    jaz050465 Posts: 3,508 Member
    Why wouldn't an advanced Polar heart rate monitor with chest strap work for all day?

    I mean it would be uncomfortable, but it would be relatively accurate.

    I was gonna try using my FT7, to see what I burn all day (instead of relying on the calculator online that simply uses weight, age, sex, and time spent doing certain activities).

    They are designed to just be accurate with raised heart rate and so are no good or all day use
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    Why wouldn't an advanced Polar heart rate monitor with chest strap work for all day?

    I mean it would be uncomfortable, but it would be relatively accurate.

    I was gonna try using my FT7, to see what I burn all day (instead of relying on the calculator online that simply uses weight, age, sex, and time spent doing certain activities).

    Because the formulas that HRMs use to estimate calories burned are based on steady state moderate intensity cardio.
    "The linear HR vs. VO2 relationship applies to moderate-intensity activity but is nearly a flat slope during low-intensity activity, resulting in a low correlation between HR and EE (Energy Expenditure) during sedentary and low-intensity activities. "
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/773451-is-my-hrm-giving-me-incorrect-calorie-burn

    Calories burned are dependant on weight and intensity. Thats it. HRMs estimate calories burned based on the above noted relationship between HR and VO2 max. It requires the additional information of sex, age, etc, in that formula.


    Some more good reading
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Azdak?month=201005
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Azdak/view/the-real-facts-about-hrms-and-calories-what-you-need-to-know-before-purchasing-an-hrm-or-using-one-21472
  • depaul225
    depaul225 Posts: 2
    Why wouldn't an advanced Polar heart rate monitor with chest strap work for all day?

    I mean it would be uncomfortable, but it would be relatively accurate.

    I was gonna try using my FT7, to see what I burn all day (instead of relying on the calculator online that simply uses weight, age, sex, and time spent doing certain activities).

    Because the formulas that HRMs use to estimate calories burned are based on steady state moderate intensity cardio.
    "The linear HR vs. VO2 relationship applies to moderate-intensity activity but is nearly a flat slope during low-intensity activity, resulting in a low correlation between HR and EE (Energy Expenditure) during sedentary and low-intensity activities. "
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/773451-is-my-hrm-giving-me-incorrect-calorie-burn

    Calories burned are dependant on weight and intensity. Thats it. HRMs estimate calories burned based on the above noted relationship between HR and VO2 max. It requires the additional information of sex, age, etc, in that formula.


    Some more good reading
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Azdak?month=201005
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Azdak/view/the-real-facts-about-hrms-and-calories-what-you-need-to-know-before-purchasing-an-hrm-or-using-one-21472

    So I should only rely on the heart rate for ~120+ heart rate? correct?

    Or a better question: If I can determine what my average heart rate is per the HRM for, say, a 2 hour period (and the actual readout on the HRM for calories is incorrect based on the calculation of low-intensity activity). Then I take that number, say, 85bpm, where could I input that 85bpm to determine the calories burned for that 2 hour period?
  • Firehawk734
    Firehawk734 Posts: 132 Member
    This thread is a little old, but I wanted to say something.

    I have an older polar HRM with a chest strap. Great for workouts, bad for tracking all day (because the strap needs to be moist to work).

    However, I was just on the polar website and they're coming out with a new HRM due out in April of 2014, that will do everything (so it seems). But I can't figure out if it's strapless or not. I haven't seen the word 'strapless' which tends to mean it's not, but I'm just not sure yet. It's called the V800. It'll probably be 3-400 bucks at first...but I'll wait a bit and maybe get one. It is clear though that it will monitor activities and HR 24/7 (it says this).

    I really want something that tracks calories burned BASED on heart rate, age, and weight, as this is the most accuracy you can hope for. I'd really love to get a better ballpark on actual calories burned on days I go to work but don't do exercise, days I'm super lazy and lay around all day (on weekends), days I do work out and go to work, and days I don't go to work, but work out.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    This thread is a little old, but I wanted to say something.

    I have an older polar HRM with a chest strap. Great for workouts, bad for tracking all day (because the strap needs to be moist to work).

    However, I was just on the polar website and they're coming out with a new HRM due out in April of 2014, that will do everything (so it seems). But I can't figure out if it's strapless or not. I haven't seen the word 'strapless' which tends to mean it's not, but I'm just not sure yet. It's called the V800. It'll probably be 3-400 bucks at first...but I'll wait a bit and maybe get one. It is clear though that it will monitor activities and HR 24/7 (it says this).

    I really want something that tracks calories burned BASED on heart rate, age, and weight, as this is the most accuracy you can hope for. I'd really love to get a better ballpark on actual calories burned on days I go to work but don't do exercise, days I'm super lazy and lay around all day (on weekends), days I do work out and go to work, and days I don't go to work, but work out.

    Its bad for tracking calories all day not just because the chest strap needs to be moist. It is not meant to track all day. You will get an over inflated burn. The calorie estimation formulas are based on heart rate during steady state moderate intensity cardio. It assumes that is what you are doing and applies the formula. When you are sitting on the couch, this is not steady state moderate intensity cardio, you aren't burning the same calories, the forumla does not apply.

    I haven't heard about the new one coming out, i'll be interested to see how it works.

    Heart rate, age and weight are not what make calorie estimates accurate. Calories burned is determined by weight and intensity. HRM need the additional data points because it using a formula based on averages. It is not necessarily more accurate because it accounts for these things.

    THe links above are really informative. Especially this one
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Azdak/view/the-real-facts-about-hrms-and-calories-what-you-need-to-know-before-purchasing-an-hrm-or-using-one-21472
  • halleymw
    halleymw Posts: 246 Member
    Here is a link to a Prview of the 800. looks like it has a strap.

    http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2014/01/polar-v800-triathlon.html

    Mike
  • Firehawk734
    Firehawk734 Posts: 132 Member
    It's a lot more than just weight and intensity. If I'm 250lbs and work out every day, that makes my body more efficient at burning calories (I breathe less because I'm using oxygen more efficiently, and therefore heart rate doesn't go up as much). SO I disagree that it's based on weight and intensity (to an extent). If I'm 250lbs and haven't worked out in 2 yrs, and then do the same workout someone else has been doing for 2 years, I'm going to burn more calories than the athlete. Heart rate will be higher, body is inefficient at calorie burning, etc. This is why changing routines is important for continued calorie burning (fat loss).

    So, my point is that there's no perfect solution here when relying on a machine. All you can do is try to get 'more accurate' than another machine.

    I am sure you are right regarding my post about my F7 heart rate monitor and laying around all day. You're probably right that it uses a formula that assumes a workout is going on when i'm laying on the couch...but clearly it slows down calorie counting. After my workout yesterday, i continued to wear my monitor for 2 1/2 hours and when my heart rate fell back to 70ish, I was only burning 4 calories a minute (per the watch) and even slower. It was burning about 136 calories an hour or so with a lower heart rate of 70ish. That could be a bit higher than what reality is, if the formula assumes i'm working out and my heart rate is 70bpm.
  • KeepGoingKylene
    KeepGoingKylene Posts: 432 Member
    The Amiigo does it all just have to wait for it to come out and boy have we been waiting lol.
    I bought it during the backing stage, its been a long wait but should be well worth it when it comes, hopefully :wink:
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    It's a lot more than just weight and intensity. If I'm 250lbs and work out every day, that makes my body more efficient at burning calories (I breathe less because I'm using oxygen more efficiently, and therefore heart rate doesn't go up as much). SO I disagree that it's based on weight and intensity (to an extent). If I'm 250lbs and haven't worked out in 2 yrs, and then do the same workout someone else has been doing for 2 years, I'm going to burn more calories than the athlete. Heart rate will be higher, body is inefficient at calorie burning, etc. This is why changing routines is important for continued calorie burning (fat loss).

    So, my point is that there's no perfect solution here when relying on a machine. All you can do is try to get 'more accurate' than another machine.

    I am sure you are right regarding my post about my F7 heart rate monitor and laying around all day. You're probably right that it uses a formula that assumes a workout is going on when i'm laying on the couch...but clearly it slows down calorie counting. After my workout yesterday, i continued to wear my monitor for 2 1/2 hours and when my heart rate fell back to 70ish, I was only burning 4 calories a minute (per the watch) and even slower. It was burning about 136 calories an hour or so with a lower heart rate of 70ish. That could be a bit higher than what reality is, if the formula assumes i'm working out and my heart rate is 70bpm.

    It really is about weight and intensity. It requires the same energy to move 250lbs regardless.

    Azdak has a great explaination in this thread. ( I linked the second page because my post and his are on that page)
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1173371-long-distance-running-and-having-trouble-losing-weight?page=2#posts-18395130

    And in his blog
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Azdak?month=201005


    RE - sedentary activities
    "The linear HR vs. VO2 relationship applies to moderate-intensity activity but is nearly a flat slope during low-intensity activity, resulting in a low correlation between HR and EE (Energy Expenditure) during sedentary and low-intensity activities. "

    Study here
    "If you want to read the studies those references are pointing to, Page 36 in the following study. "
    https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/2292/305/02whole.pdf?sequence=9

    From Heybales thread here which also outlines other issues with HRMs.
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/773451-is-my-hrm-giving-me-incorrect-calorie-burn
  • JoeBottillo
    JoeBottillo Posts: 1 Member
    There is an hrm which measures heart rate through the wrist (MIO Global & MIO Alpha). They measure hr continuously using sensors to determine blood flow and apply an algorithm to determine hr. The Amiigo will do everything you want (not only within our life time but before the end of summer) pre-order cost is 179.99. Early bird backers are already receiving devices and current pre-orders will be shipped by August.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    It's a lot more than just weight and intensity. If I'm 250lbs and work out every day, that makes my body more efficient at burning calories (I breathe less because I'm using oxygen more efficiently, and therefore heart rate doesn't go up as much). SO I disagree that it's based on weight and intensity (to an extent). If I'm 250lbs and haven't worked out in 2 yrs, and then do the same workout someone else has been doing for 2 years, I'm going to burn more calories than the athlete. Heart rate will be higher, body is inefficient at calorie burning, etc. This is why changing routines is important for continued calorie burning (fat loss).


    There's a lot of NO in this post. Both guys will burn the same amount of calories but the fitter person is going to be less fatigued and able to do more while the untrained guy is going to lay on the ground gasping for air.

    Heart rate =/= calories burned or we'd all just walk thru bad neighborhoods at night in order to lose weight.

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